The Vigilant Association of Philadelphia was an abolitionist organization founded in August 1837 in Philadelphia to "create a fund to aid colored persons in distress".^[1] The initial impetus came from Robert Purvis,^[2] who had served on a previous Committee of Twelve^{[clarification needed]} in 1834, and his father-in-law, businessman James Forten.^[3][4]

Up and running by 1838, the committee had begun to break down in 1852. William Still was an important conductor along the railroad and a founder of the vigilance committee in Philadelphia.^[5]

Its executive was the Vigilant Committee of Philadelphia and its first president was a black dentist, James McCrummell. Other abolitionists who helped included John Greenleaf Whittier, who helped form the committee and promoted the association in his newspaper Pennsylvania Freeman.^[3][4]

There were five members of the acting committee for the Vigilant Association of Philadelphia, which included Nathaniel W. Depee, William Still, Jacob C. White, Passmore Williamson, and Charles Wise.^[6][7][8]

In June 1842, future writer Harriet Jacobs was among the fugitive slaves who were aided by the Association.^[9]

• Henry Box Brown